Suicide Bombers & Shahadat

There is no denying the fact that suicide is not permitted in Islam. Some even say that the Namaz e Janaza of the person committing suicide cannot be held. The holy Qura’n is very clear about the killing of the innocent persons and decrees killing of one innocent person equal to the killing of the entire humanity. Then, in spite of such clear injunctions, it is matter of great concern for us all, how is a breed of the suicide bombers being nurtured in the name of Islam? Has it to do something with the concept of shahadat? Apparently it looks so.

A friend travelling from Pindi to Peshawar by bus had this horrific tale to tell. A somewhat over clad young man of about seventeen on boarding the bus went to the driver and showing him something under his woollen shawl talked to him in a rather conspiratorial manner. He then sat next to my friend behind the driver seat and the bus rolled on. The young man remained quiet and uncommunicative mostly with eyes closed all along till the bus reached Peshawar. Before alighting he again went to the driver, shook him by the hand and whispered something to him. The moment he got down the bus the driver shrieked hysterically and shouted to the passengers that the boy was wearing a suicide jacket and had instructed him to run the bus into any military vehicle that came their way. As they had not come across any such vehicle the boy had now felt sorry for the driver that how unlucky they both had been to have not been able to embrace shahadat and go to Jannat where the Holy Prophet (SAW) himself had been waiting in person to embrace and welcome them!.

Such naive young men are being prepared for such the ‘shahadat’ in a very well planned manner. Great care is taken in their initial selection and then they are brain washed in a professional psychological manner. Even given psychopathic drugs to help them accept and assimilate the beliefs readily. Recently a new dimension has been added to this indoctrination. That is; to convince them of their attaining the shahadat not only for themselves, but also for all those whom they will kill in the process. For, they will all be also shaheed. What could be more rewarding for a young man that he will be able to open the gates of the paradise for others also. Such belief that he will be instrumental in securing shahadat for many others along with his own shahadat makes them still more resolute in their conviction. “How lucky would they all be – like the driver in this case – who will also be blessed with the shahadat through him?”, could be a great motivating thought process for anyone.

This kind of indoctrination is not new in the annals of our (Islamic) history. Hiring of the paid assassins had been an old trade. However, Hassan bin Sabah in the later part of the 11th century, introduced it as an organised institution. But first a little about Hasan-i Sabah. There is a popular legend about the three classmates of Neshapur University of olden Iran. In a spirit of healthy competition each of them – Hassan i-Sabah, Omer Khyam and Nizam al–Mulk resolved to outdo the other two in his achievements in life. There was also a pact amongst the three: whoever was the favoured of fortune would, in turn, help the other two. Nizam al-Mulk rose to a position of prominence in the court of the Turks who then ruled those areas. He got Omar Khayyám, who had by them also made a name in mathematics, poetry and astrology, appointed as court poet and mathematician. Hassan too was granted an office of the Intelligence Chief in the court but soon began eyeing and aiming at the post held by Nizam al-Mulk. Getting a whiff of Hassan’s ambition, Nizam al-Mulk engineered his banishment from the state. During the days of his extradition once the boat he was travelling in got caught in a severe sea storm. Everyone including the sailors feared of their lives, except Hassan who calmly and composedly assured all that he had received the divine revelation that no harm would come to the them. As luck would have it his gamble worked and the storm subsided after a while. As the boat ran ashore safely and no sooner the passenger alighted, they all were at Hassan’s feet revering him to be the most divine person. Soon he had a great following of the faithful whom he indoctrinated in a particular mystic philosophy. He bought the fort of Alamut (Castle of Death), a mountain fortress located in central Elburz mountains, south of the Caspian Sea, Iran, from where he controlled his terrorising operations against the state and the rich. He would demand gold and silver from the rich and noble and anyone not obliging was put to death. His highly indoctrinated killer followers would leave a dagger inscribed with the court of arm of Hassan in the chest of the victim as a signature mark of Hassan bin Sabah’s doing. From this point on his community and its branches spread throughout Iran and Syria and came to be called Hashashins - an Islamic mystery cult. The English word assassin is derived from Hashashins or Assassins.

The legends abound as to the tactics used to induct members into his quasi-religious political organization. A future assassin was subjected to rites very similar to those of other mystery cults in which the subject was made to believe that he was in imminent danger of death. But the twist of the assassins was that they drugged the person to simulate a "dying" to later have them awaken in a garden flowing with wine and served a sumptuous feast by virgins. The supplicant was then convinced he was in Heaven and that Sabbah was a representative of the divinity and that all of his orders should be followed, even to death.

Other accounts of the indoctrination attest that the future assassins were brought to Alamut at a young age and, while they matured, inhabited the aforementioned paradisiacal gardens and were kept drugged with hashish; while Hassan occupied the gardens as a divine emissary. At a certain point of the initiation the drug was withdrawn from them, and they were removed from the gardens and flung into a dungeon. There they were informed that, if they wished to return to the paradise they had so recently enjoyed it would be at Sabbah's discretion, and that they must, therefore, follow his directions exactly, up to and including murder and self-sacrifice. (source Wikipedia)

That was the modes operandi ten centuries ago. The world has advanced much since then. Now is the age of audio/video teaching aids, mobile and radio communications, explosives and remote detonations, psychopathic drugs and tranquilizers to keep the naive perpetrator remarkably calm, cool and fearlessness under the extreme trying conditions. As a final product he is groomed into a young pious, devout and determined man with a mission, who has no ambiguity of any kind about his being a shaheed after his death and go straight to Jannat. Similarly he knows that all those killed in the blast will also be called and remembered as shuhada by all those mourning their demise. When shahadat is all around, so abundantly and that easily, what can stop him for attaining it?

We, as a nation too, subscribe unwittingly to strengthen their such precepts by declaring every one who dies in such an attack a shaheed. A case in point is the recent BB’s death, whose followers for political reasons insist upon her being called a shaheed. God alone knows who is a shaheed and who is not, but we do add to the wrongly held conviction of the suicide bomber by calling every one shaheed that he killed. Should we, therefore, not confine the use of word shaheed and shahadat only for those who lay their life in the way of Allah (SWT) only? This could make the suicidal bombers have a second thought about his mission – who knows.

Reader Comments:

Shaheed

Nice, but not so when Mr Jafri tries suggesting how Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto SHAHEED should not be ascribed the title of Shaheed!..I mean how can someone deny this lady this title when she fought for a human cause, an islamic cause in which she wanted millions of her countrymen to be educated, lead an honest and quality life, a cause which Islam gives the utmost priority to...so for someone who got killed whilst fighting for a just cause for humanity should not be given the title of Shaheed?? give me a break Mr Riaz Jafri.................Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto SHAHEED will always live, and all the deniers of the truthful shall be lost.

Is this article and explanation of suicide/homicide bombers or an excuse for their acts?

The leader of those "naive" perpetrators of 9/11 was an older man. He didn't seem indoctrinated as he killed around three thousand people in the US. Nor did his doctor friend.

Asked about the killing of innocents when the embassies in Kenya and Tanzania were blown up, the leader, or planner of it all, said it was their "destiny". Who is he to decide anyone's destiny?

How about the group of doctors who tried to go from the UK to the U.S. in order to blow America up once again?
Were they drugged and indoctrinated?

We, the people, all over the world, must speak out against these suicide/homicide bombings. We must stop tolerating them or finding excuses.

Suicide/homicide bombing is a despicable and cowardly act.

Period...

Ayasha, United Kingdom - 28 January, 2008

Wrapping up of Islam is a technique being used by Looters

Free ride free high wage as soldier free Nobel Prize and free banking –Insurance wealth of Benazir Bhutto are new ways by distorting Islam. By claiming that he had suicide jacket he got on for free and By repeating one liner he got off. The $7 billion French Bank fraud came with Mohtarma Bhutto‘s Murder plus fraud. The Nobel Prize small personal bank loan in lieu of zakat came with Extension of swindling worldwide banking infrastructure (including personal small loan based on money
Coming at the end of month or by equity loan car loan). Security Guards are none productive but they are in demand due to above factors (draining resource).The creative criminals are functioning via uniform via UN via free wheeling dealing Fraud. To make it legal it must come via bills of democracy also called quid pro quo related To WMD oil now a days seem hot at H/Q as quad pro Quid.Mohtarma Bhutto had been wrongly called BB because tens of years BB was reserved for Brigitte Bardot of France. Leaders like Mohtarma and Canadian PM Mulroney or dealer Shriber using UN gimmick lectures at the rate of $1000/person /dinner is include method or technique labelled “how to grow rich legally via inside info Stocks buying”. To correct this Religion be restored bank small loan and banking of investment mortgages ,small personal loan be restored. Nobel Prize in lieu of Islam –bank be withdrawn .The real pro investigators from Govt tax –Insurance fraud Department go and investigate and catch beneficiaries and High profile Institution leaders associates.Wrapping Up Islam wrapping up of OIC and 55 Muslim Countries will not work.

Be Zee, United Arab Emirates - 29 January, 2008

We should also confine the use of word "Jihad"

Article by Mr Riaz Jafri always make sense as long as he is not talking about India

what he is talking about is logical and this is how our brain works by listening to the media
But we should also not use the word Jihad too much either because our politicians have used and misused that word according to their convenience
A guy in Kashmir according to us is a Freedom Fighter, whereas the same guy in Swat is a Terrorist. What a Crap.

Arshad Ali, Pakistan - 29 January, 2008

It is payback time for Pakistan

Payback for all those wasted years. Wasted educatinal sector and wasted .....

Jeff Khan, Norway - 29 January, 2008

It is India meddling

INDIA IS THE BIGGEST DANGER TO THE WORLD PEACE AND THE WEST.YOU BROUGHT INDIA IN AFGHANISTAN AND THE THINGS WERE SAILING SMOOTH BEFORE.

INDIA STARTED MEDDLING IN WESTERN TRIBAL AND NWFP OF PAKISTAN FROM AFGHANISTAN BY SENDING MONEY TO BLOW UP THE PAK MILITARY AND POLICE THAT WAS HELPING AND SUCCEEDING IN HELPING MITIGATE THE WORLD WIDE TERROR.

INDIA MEDDLED IN PAKISTAN WITH A WELL ORGANIZED PATTERN TO NERVE BREAK A COUNTRY BY ATTACKS ON POLICE TO BREAK THE COUNTERY PAKISTAN.

THESE INDIAN ACTS OF EXALTED NATURE ARE LIKE SHOOTING IN AMERICA'S AND NATO'S FEET AND POSING AS FRIEND IN AFGHANISTAN.

INDIA'S ACTS HAVE TAKEN ATTENTION OF PAKISTAN MILITARY AWAY FROM WAR ON TERROR AND ON TO MITIGATE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY INDIA'S BASTARLY MEDDLING INTO PLAN OF BREAKING UP PAKISTAN.

THIS WHOLE TRAITORING ACTS OF INDIA AGAINST PAKISTAN, AGAINST AMERICA AND NATO AND AGAINST ISLAMIC WORLD THROUGH OPEN ENDED INTRIGUES SPINNING ALL OVER IN THEIR CYBER NERVE AND REAL MONEY FACILITATED TERROR ACTS AGAINST PAK POLICE, PAK MILTARY AND PAK PEOPLE WILL HAVE DISASTROUS RESULTS FOR PAKS GREAT ALLIES AND FRIENDS IN AMERICA AND THE WEST.

INDIANS ARE THE BIGGEST DANGER TO THE WORLD PEACE. IF PAKISTAN GETS DESTABILIZED LIKE IRAQ, THE WHOLE MIDDLE EAST GETS DESTABILIZED.INDIA'S ENEMY LIKE TACTICS WILL CREATE ENERGY INSECURITY AND FINISH OFF THE ECONOMIES OF AMERICA AND EUROPE AND THE WORLD.THESE EVIL INDIANS WOULD DO ANY THING TO DESTROY PAKISTAN EVEN IF IT MEANS THE DESTRUCTION OF THE WORLD'S AND EVEN THEIR ECONOMIES.

INDIA HAS WORSE ENERGY IN-SECURITY HAUNTING ITS OWN SURVIVAL, BUT THEY WOULD'NT HESITATE DESTROYING EVEN SELF IF THEY CAN DESTABILIZE PAKISTAN.

I HAVE MY LIVING AND SOON MY PENSION FROM CANADA. I WANT TO SEE THE WEST PROSPEROUS AND NOT GET DESTROYED BY THE DASTADLY ACTS OF INDIA'S VICIOUS AND MALICIOS CAMPAIGN AGAINST ITS NEIGHBOUR COUNTRY. THESE AGGRESSIVE ACTS OF INDIA ARE REFLECTED IN THE INDIAN MEDIA'S RELENTLESS HATE AGAINST PAKISTAN AND AGAINST ANY THING THAT IS UN-INDIAN.

SO REIGN ON INDIA AND ONLY INDIA AND AMERICA, EUROPE, PAKISTAN AND THE ISLAMIC WORLD ARE ALL SAFE FROM INDIAN WOLVES.

Anwar Mahmood, Canada - 29 January, 2008

Whose Islam?

Whose Islam is it anyway? It's just a matter of believe, not reality. Author has his own definition of Shaheed & Shahadat. He has his own idea of God(Allah), paradise and Shahadad. But that's not reality. To make believe that his God and Islam is real not others is hypocritical.

H. Harris, Pakistan - 30 January, 2008

islam and india

It is wrong that india instigate for terrorism do not taught us u know in our country muslim population is more than your country and all are enjoying all rights free 2 celebrate theire festival u know we are having three president and so many chief minister and governor

aksaxena, Hungary - 30 January, 2008

Its India's Meddling

Mr. Mehmood I am shocked when I read your comments. A person who is living in a western country and has no idea about what is going on in Pakistan turns to old belief Oh What ever goes wrong in Pakistan is India's fault. Its illetrate like you who created hate against each other. India's muslim population is living happily and prospering , you know why they are the people who are fearful of Allah and believe in Islam the way Islam teaches them.
India and Pakistan got the freedom at the same time what does Pakistan have to show where India is becoming a technological power and prospering in other fields.Wake up and face the facts. do not be a illitrated you have lot to offer to the new generation of Pakistan.

Vinod, United Kingdom - 30 January, 2008

What is clear

What is not clear. Shahadat, the definition of innocent in the words of a muslim. Or is it. We, non-muslims, can be threatened. Often muslims are criticized back and they end up killing innocent people, according to the definition of innocense to every non-muslim. Peace to you and peace to me. Thankyou for this article, it helps to hear anothers mans views, who probably wishes he was back home in Pakistan, maybe not. Remember friend your old country is in grave danger of extremeism. From this article, it sounds like you are helping things become clearer.

Amesha, United Kingdom - 31 January, 2008

NOT Shahadat

It is indeed against all islamic rulings for one to commit suicide, and there are no two things about it.
What we are seeing in the recent era is an absolute un-islamic act where these suicide bombers are targeting innocent non-combatant civilians that are struggling to make a living and get on with their lives.
The only instance where such suicidal bombings could be considered as qualified shahadat is in combat field specially where there are no other resources to combat against the enemy who is clearly understood to be fighting against a known muslim ummah and this is the only exception that may qualify for an acceptable form of suicide provided there are no weapons available for the intending individual to combat the enemy of Islam, Muslims & their nation, anything else can only be classified as a suicide which qualifies for no ritual burial ceremony for the subject committing suicide.
In as much as H. Harris's posting is concerned, perhaps he/she is follower of a lesser religion where he follows interpretations other than presecribed in Quran that was revealed by Allah SWT through our Beloved Prophet PBUH, may Allah SWT bless all of us with the appropriate knowledge of Deen-e-Islam and protect us all from the brain-washing indoctrination of corrupt ones, ameen.

Matloob Zaman, Pakistan - 31 January, 2008

Being Unequal Canadian in world Class Education Skill

World has behaviour problem of Hari Ramification RSS Tom Dick and Harry of Canada Australia USA South Africa .they have “might is right” while using Hash alcohol Common law Lesbo-Gayology controlling Internet Cable Media and NASA data. World has A handful of idiots in their pursuit for self Promotion they are killing earth ocean atmosphere and economic with solid grip of Manipulation In their control with stolen asset stolen money they have in their grip Islam Islamic Asset. Muslims Muslim Regime are under Attack.Get rid of few these private incompetent lecturers who out of poverty lack of education have recreated themselves with artificial Degrees LLPs .They are Fraud in Power.Anwar is right and but if you are right How is it possible as being fellow Canadian with world class education and skill in the area of water Petro Chem science Engineering from very same top most industries of the past ( white class institution) I have not even ID job profession pension and asset. Ask anwar or me in round table conference with your leaders directly.

zb, Canada - 01 February, 2008

Not in Service with "Shahid" Label Suicide insinuation

Evaluate Shahid label of Mohtarma BB with microphone Shahid (with night background )Murdered in the city of Shahid Millet Liaqat Ali Khan soon after India Pak split 60 years ago towards current Pakistan Balochistan split in so called Military City area or home town of Pervez Musharraf amid his fired -retired Generals recommending his ouster backed with Tajmahal type mausoleum with inscription Garhi Khuda Bukhs wrapped up santa clause costume with Foreign books Private invester with IMF cheque
Books running around.

ZB, Canada - 01 February, 2008

Peace be with You

Being a fellow Canadian, I am ashamed of you Anwar. How a person (Claimed to be a WORLD CLASS GAS ENGINEER) could spread this much of hate? From your WORLD CLASS education you learned nothing but hate. You being a Canadian, act like a Canadian please………Spread peace and tolerance. Thank you.

Jones, Canada - 01 February, 2008

Peace be with You

Being a fellow Canadian, I am ashamed of you Anwar. How a person (Claimed to be a WORLD CLASS GAS ENGINEER) could spread this much of hate? From your WORLD CLASS education you learned nothing but hate. You being a Canadian, act like a Canadian please………Spread peace and tolerance. Thank you.

Jones, Canada - 01 February, 2008

No it is not Shahadat

When people are not in war and when people opt to commit suicide they are not shaheed and neither are those whom they kill, unless those targetted ones were engaged in a "fee sabil'illah" activity for the benefit of Muslims or Islam. If they were engaged in the chores of corrupt politics as it exists today their death will not and cannot be considered shahadat under the rulings in Islam.
while sudden death by painful means is considered to be equivalent of shahadat it still does not equal to the one in the path of Allah similiarly, and people should not misuse and abuse this term as it is being used so frequently these days.
With regards to Mr. Vinod & aksaxena, while they may be correct about the numbers of muslims in Indian population and givng the benfit of doubt Muslims in their region of residence may be enjoying an appropriate life, however there are regions in India where Muslims are discriminated against and are oppressed.
The leadership of BJP and several other organizations are quite violent against Muslims in India and miss no opportunity to deprive the basic rights to them based only on the one principle that they are Muslims.
I am not denying that there are areas in India where the Muslims & non-Muslims co-exist with mutual regard and tolerance however it is not to the extent that it can overshadow the negativism against Muslims.
I also agree with Mr. Vinod that in the period of 60 years Pakistan's people have been busy embarking on means of luxury as compared to the people of India who carry a much stronger national spirit and have contributed to build their nation in an exemplary manner, it is still not late for people of our Pakistan to learn and progress and live in harmony, and I dont feel ashamed if I have to recognize the positives of a neighboring nation, specially because the two did not found seperate nations to establish an eternal animosity among themselves. Just imagine if the two lived peacefully and cooperatively how much progress the both could have achieved.
Why cant we live next to each other without enemity and if we need to compete with each other it should be for the positives.

Matloob Zaman, Pakistan - 01 February, 2008

Shahadat when & when NOT

Shahadat /Martyrdom
Narrated Abu Huraira
The following ahadeeth clearly state as to what consitutes martyrdom & what does not.
Wallah Alam bil thawab.
Allah's Apostle said, "Allah guarantees (the person who carries out Jihad in His Cause and nothing compelled him to go out but Jihad in His Cause and the belief in His Word) that He will either admit him into Paradise (Martyrdom) or return him with reward or booty he has earned to his residence from where he went out."
---------------------
Narrated Sahl bin Sa'd

There was a man who fought most bravely of all the Muslims on behalf of the Muslims in a battle (Ghazwa) in the company of the Prophet. TheProphet looked at him and said. "If anyone would like to see a man from the people of the Fire, let him look at this (brave man)." On that, a man from the People (Muslims) followed him, and he was in thatstate i.e., fighting fiercely against the pagans till he was wounded, and then he hastened to end his life by placing his sword between his breasts (and pressed it with great force) till it came out between hisshoulders. Then the man (who was watching that person) went quickly tothe Prophet and said, "I testify that you are Allah's Apostle!" The Prophet asked him, "Why do you say that?" He said, "You said about so-and-so, 'If anyone would like to see a man from the people of the Fire, he should look at him.' He fought most bravely of all of us on behalf of the Muslims and I knew that he would not die as a Muslim (Martyr). So when he got wounded, he hastened to die and committed suicide." There-upon the Prophet said, "A man may do the deeds of the people of the Fire while in fact he is one of the people of Paradise, and he may do the deeds of the people of Paradise while in fact he belongs to the people of Fire, and verily, (the rewards of) the deeds are decided by the last actions (deeds)".
--------------------------

Matloob Zaman, Pakistan - 01 February, 2008

The word of Allah SWT & the Prophet PBUH

Nothing supercedes the word of Allah SWT or what has been narrated by our beloved Prophet PBUH.
Yes those who die due to calamities can be considered to have achieved level of Shahadat/martyrdom.

Narrated Anas bin Malik
Allah's Apostle said, "(Death from) plague is martyrdom for every Muslim."
Narrated Anas bin Malik
Allah's Apostle said, "(Death from) plague is martyrdom for every Muslim."
However we should use the terms carefully and only where applicable while as a muslim we should always pray for the maghfirah of another deceased muslim.

Matloob Zaman, Pakistan - 01 February, 2008

matloob is the exact problem of pakistan

If others believe as you, then unite. You think it's OK to kill people based on your religion. I would call you un-civilized, backwards, hick, someone from Kentucky. The Kentucky part is a joke. We often like to joke that inbreeding happens in Kentucky. It doesn't it's just a national tease. The point is, matloob, you tolerate killing at anyones discretion. You are the exact reason why I am anti-muslim. And probably why Indians don't trust folks like you.

asha, United Kingdom - 02 February, 2008

ashmed living in canada

i am ashmed of canada because these are killing our muslims in afghanistan like they have done in somalia , these thugs are no humans they are worse..

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